After the lecture ended, the scholars did not rush to leave. Some stayed at Capital University or were invited to other universities in the capital for academic exchanges, while others wandered around the city sightseeing.
A few remained at Capital University to persuade Huang Tian to join their institutions. Professor Srinivasan was especially persistent, seeking Huang Tian out now and then to tell him how wonderful New York University was and urge him to give it more thought.
Meanwhile, Princeton, the University of Chicago, the University of Cambridge, and other renowned institutions extended offers to Huang Tian, all with generous terms.
Capital University did the same. Chen Yue, dean of its School of Mathematics, and Li Nuo, the associate dean, invited Huang Tian to stay, though neither was confident he would accept.
They knew how powerful Princeton's appeal was to a mathematician. Even if Huang Tian did not choose Princeton, the University of Chicago, Cambridge, and Harvard would surely rank ahead of Capital University.
They could not help it. Mathematicians needed excellent peers to exchange ideas with. Several prestigious universities overseas had world-class mathematicians, and long-term discussions with them could strike sparks of inspiration. That was why so many mathematicians from Xia Kingdom were willing to work abroad.
Staying in Xia Kingdom meant having no masters to discuss ideas with. Working behind closed doors made breakthroughs difficult.
Beside Nameless Lake, spring was warm and gentle.
The lake was clear as a mirror, reflecting the vast blue sky and rolling white clouds. Willows drooped along the shore, their branches swaying with the water whenever the spring breeze blew.
Li Nuo and Huang Tian walked along the shore. Nearby, Capital University students strolled and chatted. The bolder ones greeted them with grins, while the shy ones quietly took photos from a distance.